The Curlew Sandpiper, • ^35 



opportunity to examine carefully. I do not think tliat I can convey a better idea 

 of their characteristics than by saying that they are small copies of the Purple 

 Sandpiper's eggs, about the size of those of the Dunlin. 



Not a wild or shy bird with us, except in stormy and wet weather, which 

 renders all birds " kittle," as we say in the north, Curlew Sandpipers are seldom 

 met with but on the coast, and in small parties. I do not think that I ever saw 

 more than a dozen individuals together.* They are often single, but not uncommonly 

 consort with other small Waders, especially Dunlins, from which they may be 

 distinguished on the wing by their white rump and slimmer build, with longer 

 and more acutely pointed wings. They are of quicker flight than Dunlins, and 

 it is not difficult to keep an eye on them, when mixed with a flock of the latter 

 bird. They feed on sandy or muddy shores, making their appearance as the tide 

 begins to fall, and following it outwards. Their food consists of minute Crustacea 

 and annelids, and, like all small Waders, they will swallow mussel-spat wholesale. 

 Very soon after the tide has turned, they leave their feeding grounds for adjacent 

 marshes, or, failing these, sand-hills or grass fields, where they lie and sleep, till 

 their surprising instinct tells them that ebb tide has come again. It is perfectly 

 wonderful how most of the smaller Waders are aware of this event within a few 

 minutes of its occurrence. The note of the Curlew Sandpiper (with us, there is 

 probably a pairing-note as yet un-noted) is much like that of the Dunlin, little 

 more than a chirp. But it is rarely heard on our coasts, for this is in general a 

 silent bird. 



• Mr. E. Williams states that lie met with "large flocks of Curlew Sandpipers" in Dublin Bay, August 

 28th, 1897. "One flock certainly could not have been less than five hundred strong. It passed quite close to 

 me, the white upper tail-coverts of the birds being very conspicuous, thus easily distinguishing them from the 

 Dunlin when flying," ("Knowledge," May 2nd, 1898, p. 112). But Mr. Williams is probably unique in his 

 experience. — H.A.M. 



